[Lefiya Cranel].
Changing one's surname like this usually only happened when a woman got married.
Lefiya stared at the name on the parchment, her lips trembling slightly.
That suffix had clearly been added by Filvis on purpose. Between Bell's and Lefiya's names, she had even drawn a cute cartoon heart.
"Ugh... this doesn't count!"
Lefiya reached out to snatch the parchment back from the landlady and cross out her name.
"Oh, we can't have that. You've already been on your honeymoon, so by this time next year, you'll definitely be married."
The landlady cheerfully tucked the parchment away, then added, "Oh, I almost forgot. With Little Rookie and Astrea-sama and the others, I suppose talking about marriage is none of my business."
Ignoring Lefiya's flushed face, she continued musing to herself, "When that Goddess-sama wears a wedding dress, I'll offer up every fine wine in this shop to celebrate."
"..."
Bell fell silent for a moment.
He wondered what that star-like Goddess would think if she heard that.
"Give it back already!"
Lefiya pleaded with tears in her eyes.
"No."
The landlady narrowed her eyes and glanced at Filvis, who was covering her face as she laughed. "But... the name does look a little awkward. I can add the [Cranel] surname for all of you."
"Huh?"
Filvis had not expected the fuse she lit to burn back toward herself.
"Yes, please do!"
Lefiya sold out her friend without hesitation.
Since Bell had once told her his suspicions about Filvis, Lefiya cared a great deal about the promise between the three of them.
It was only a name, so there was no need to take it too seriously, but her hopes and wishes gave that name a faint sense of prophecy.
If all of them left their names with the [Cranel] surname, Lefiya would not have to feel quite so embarrassed.
And with Filvis' name added, the ominous feeling brought about by the prank faded a great deal.
After all, it was not as though two people could marry Bell Cranel together, right?
"N-no!"
With Lefiya blocking her way, Filvis failed to stop the landlady from putting pen to parchment.
"Uuuu..."
The girl's protests turned into embarrassed whimpers, bringing the farce to an end.
By the time the group left, the moon had already climbed halfway into the sky.
"Lefiya!"
Filvis walked through the night, her cheeks still burning red.
"That was Filvis-san's fault!"
Lefiya ruthlessly pointed out the culprit.
She glanced at the other girl's long black hair, then said, "Let's duel! The loser has to give up one strand of hair!"
"Lefiya-san?"
Bell had been planning to ask Filvis for a strand of hair before they parted.
Lefiya's sudden challenge was completely beyond his expectations.
"Don't say anything. Just leave it to me."
Lefiya poked the boy's arm, seemingly full of confidence.
"...Why do you want hair?"
Filvis asked, puzzled.
"I-it's just a keepsake for Bell Cranel..."
Lefiya told a clumsy lie. "Anyway, let's fight!"
"I understand..."
Filvis looked at the boy watching over them gently from the side and accepted the baffling request.
Just as she had entrusted Lefiya with her barrier Magic, Lefiya wanted to use Magic to tell her something as well.
The clear moonlight fell over them, and rich golden hair and black hair danced in the wind.
Bell stood in the middle and counted down before declaring the start of the battle.
"Ugh?!"
A swift chop cut through the air, aiming straight for Lefiya's neck.
She quickly lowered herself and began chanting as she dodged.
But Filvis did not give Lefiya a chance to counterattack. She made full use of her [Agility], forcing the battle into close range.
After only a few exchanges, Filvis had not even used Magic, yet Lefiya was already completely defeated.
"Lefiya-san, you didn't bring a staff, and Filvis knows Concurrent Chanting inside and out."
Bell analyzed the gap between them.
In this mock battle, Filvis had held the advantage from the very beginning.
"Uuu..."
Lefiya clenched her fists in frustration.
"Hehe. What Lefiya wanted to tell me was that she learned Concurrent Chanting, right..."
Filvis slowly walked toward the boy and offered him a strand of black hair.
Even though she was the winner, she still fulfilled the loser's duty.
"Filvis..."
Bell understood that this clever girl had surely seen through Lefiya's lie.
Given that, Filvis had probably realized that her hair held special value for him.
"Please take it. I hope my hair can be of use..."
Filvis gently cut off the boy's words.
With the duel over, this reunion between the three of them had reached its end.
Just recalling everything that had happened tonight was enough to fill Filvis' eyes with warm joy.
"..."
Lefiya quietly watched the two of them.
In her original plan, her growth would shock Filvis, then she would win in spectacular fashion and present the girl's black hair to the boy.
The process had been nothing like she imagined, but the result was still acceptable...
After Bell put the strand of hair away, Lefiya clenched her fists and spoke. "U-um, Filvis-san! I've already learned Concurrent Chanting, and I'll make good use of barrier Magic too!"
Lefiya did not know why she was saying these things.
But whenever the three of them were together, she always wanted to tell Filvis that she was working hard.
Carrying their friendship with her as she moved forward, step by step.
Cherishing her feelings, and always staying by the boy's side.
"Next time, next time I definitely won't lose! So... um..."
Lefiya stumbled over her words.
Bell realized that if this continued, the golden-yellow elf who could not hide her feelings would definitely start crying.
He shifted position, placing himself between the two girls.
"I'll say it for Lefiya-san."
Bell reached out with his right hand and gently stroked the golden-yellow elf's thick golden hair.
"...?"
Although Lefiya trembled slightly, she did not resist.
With their parting so close, Lefiya's emotions were a mess, and the boy's gentleness soothed her heart.
But to Lefiya's surprise, Bell stroked Filvis' head in the same way.
"..."
Filvis froze in place as well.
In the next moment, the boy delivered an outrageous line.
"Since our names are already written down, the next time we meet, the three of us should do what married couples do together."
"?! Absolutely not?!"
"Ugh... permanently horny rabbit!!!"
Before the two girls could pass their embarrassed judgment, Bell ran away at his fastest speed of the night.
Under the moonlight, this reunion between Bell and Filvis still ended without a farewell.
But the blushes on the two girls' faces were entirely different from before.
A little shame, a little joy, all of it sank into the night.